Debunked! Your Heart Health Quiz to Separate Fact from Fiction
Looking for some fun and educational entertainment for your next get-together? Quizzes are a fantastic way to engage friends and family! So, get ready to test your heart health IQ. Dive into this true or false quiz and see if you can separate fact from fiction when it comes to keeping your heart healthy.
1. My Heart Is Beating Really Fast. I Must Be Having a Heart Attack.
FALSE. Some variation in your heart rate is normal. Heart rate speeds up during exercise or when you get excited, and it slows down when you’re resting or sleeping. Most of the time, a change in heartbeat is nothing to worry about. But sometimes, it can be a sign of arrhythmia, an abnormal or irregular heartbeat. Some arrhythmias are harmless, but some can last long enough to impact how well the heart works and require treatment and procedures.
2. The Signs Of A Heart Attack Are Super Obvious.
FALSE. Most people expect big, drastic symptoms when someone is having a heart attack, like grasping the chest or falling over. The signs of a heart attack can be as simple as acid reflux, the flu, and normal aging. Some people, especially women, may experience subtle or even silent heart attacks with symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, or dizziness. Learn more about all the warning signs of a heart attack, because although the symptoms aren’t dangerous, the outcomes can be.
3. Heart Disease Only Affects Older People.
FALSE. Heart disease can affect people at any age. How you live at a young age can also affect risks for cardiovascular diseases later in life. Almost 1 in 2 US adults (age 20 and older) has cardiovascular disease, but not all of them are senior citizens. Young and middle-aged people can develop heart problems, especially now that obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other risk factors are becoming more and more common at a younger age every day (Heart.org).
4. Any Amount of Caffeine Causes Heart Problems.
FALSE. It is a common rumor that caffeine has a direct impact on the heart's health. Although too much caffeine can increase heart rate and blood pressure in some individuals, consuming a safe amount of caffeine has no negative effect. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates healthy adults can drink four to five cups of coffee without harm. Most people with heart disease can safely consume a small amount of caffeine, such as a cup of coffee per day, but people with serious heart rhythm disorders should avoid caffeine as it may worsen their condition. Learn more about caffeine and heart health here.
5. Sleep Affects Heart Health.
TRUE. Getting good sleep isn’t just important for energy - it’s critical for heart health too. Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep each night. Although it's hard to get the recommended amount of sleep every night, not getting enough sleep over time can lead to serious health problems. Adults who sleep fewer than 7 hours each night are more likely to say they have had health problems, including heart attacks, which raises the risk for heart disease, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Sleep conditions like sleep apnea and insomnia can also increase the risk of heart disease (CDC.gov).
6. Heart Failure Means the Heart Has Stopped Beating.
FALSE. Heart failure does not mean the heart is no longer beating. Heart failure refers to a condition where the heart muscles or valves are damaged, resulting in reduced efficiency in pumping blood through the body.
7. Bad Dental Hygiene Habits Are Tied To Higher Risk of Heart Disease.
TRUE. Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes may lower the risk of heart disease. Studies have found a link between heart disease and periodontal disease, a condition marked by gum infection, gum inflammation, and tooth damage. Dr. Ann Bolger, a cardiologist and professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco, explains that gum disease is one of the diseases “where the body may be in a sort of continual state of inflammation, and this seems to be a very powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease”. A separate study published in the AHA journal Hypertension found that gum disease appears to worsen blood pressure and interfere with medications to treat hypertension.
8. If You Have Heart Disease, You Need to Relax at All Times.
FALSE. Actually, being sedentary is a bad idea for those with heart disease. It can lead to blood clots in the legs, causing a decline in overall physical condition. Physical activity helps strengthen the heart muscle, improves blood flow to the brain and internal organs, and improves overall health and well-being.
9. Menopause Has an Impact on Heart Disease Risk.
TRUE. Research shows an increase in cardiac events among women approximately 10 years after menopause. The exact reasons remain unclear, but decreased estrogen can affect cholesterol balance and artery health, increasing the risk of heart disease.
10. Cold Plunges Are Dangerous.
FALSE. In 2016, researchers noted studies that suggest cold plunging or cold water therapy can boost blood flow, reduce heart rate, and improve overall cardiovascular health. Cold plunges also help with mood boosts, including reducing stress, which has direct effects on heart health.
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